Afghanistan are running away with the series, they lead 2-0. Ireland need to do something about Rashid Khan, else a whitewash is on the cards. Can they win the third ODI? Back on Sunday to find out. For now, goodbye and take care!

Stanikzai: It is our highest score in ODIs and it is because Shahzad started very well. I know my strengths and hence take my time, today I took time and paced the innings. We have Dawlat and Rashid at the end, who are our strength at the death. Stirling played really well and it was difficult to stop him, but we pulled it back nicely.

Porterfield: It is frustrating. We were better from the last game. My dismissal was crucial there as we had lost few wickets before that. And losing Stirling at that stage was also a blow, two big moments in the game. We have to play better than today and if we do that, we can win.

Paul Stirling, Man of the Match: We came here to win and unfortunately we couldn't do that today. Nice to get runs and wickets, but disappointed to not get over the line. Rashid Khan has been bowling really well and we need to play him better. Fair play and respect the umpire's decision (referring to his LBW).

The difference between the two sides - Rashid Khan. The leg-spinner is a real trump card that Afghanistan have got. Whenever Stanikzai needs a wicket, he throws the ball to the 18-year-old and he doesn't disappoint. It was supposed to be Paul Stirling's day. The opener backed up his six-fer with a scintillating 80-ball 95 before he was wrongly given out. Ireland could not recover from that blow even though Porterfield and Thompson played cameos, the target was just too much for them. Dawlat played the perfect supporting role to Rashid, picking up his three wickets.

47.3

Rashid Khan to Chase, out Bowled!! Afghanistan win by 34 runs. This time the umpires are not checking for a no-ball. They are sure that Rashid had his foot behind the line. It is a 6-fer for the leggie. He emulates Paul Stirling, who had picked a 6-fer himself for Ireland. Best bowling figures for Rashid Khan in ODIs. It is the googly which gives him the last wicket, Chase drives leaving a gap, the ball sneaks through to crash into middle stump. Chase b Rashid Khan 0(2)

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no ball, second time in two matches, Dawlat has a 4-fer. The players shake hands and in the meantime the umpire checks for a possible no-ball. Looks to be a close call, which might go in favour of Dawlat. No! The third umpire has gone in favour of the batting side. Back of a length delivery and Dockrell swung aross the line and misses it completely

46.5

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, no run, almost! Another well-disguised slower delivery from Dawlat, Dockrell was early into the pull shot, the under edge shaves the off-stump before going to Shahzad

Peter Chase, right handed bat, comes to the crease

46.4

Dawlat Zadran to Murtagh, out Caught by Nabi!! Third wicket for Dawlat. He kisses the Afghanistan badge on his jersey. The slower delivery on leg-stump, Murtagh tried to repeat the previous shot, chips it tamely to mid-wicket. Murtagh c Nabi b Dawlat Zadran 5(4) [4s-1]

Dawlat Zadran to Murtagh, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

46.3

Dawlat Zadran to Murtagh, FOUR, Murtagh makes room and Dawlat follows him with a full delivery, whipped powerfully over mid-wicket, no one patroling the fence in the deep

46.2

Dawlat Zadran to Dockrell, 1 run, flicked to mid-wicket and hurry across for a quick single. Rashid fires at the bowler's end and misses, Dockrell makes it in

Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run, stays low and wrists it down to long-on

45.3

Rashid Khan to Murtagh, leg byes, 1 run, turning into the pads, Murtagh can't bat on ball, deflects off the pad to short fine

Tim Murtagh, left handed bat, comes to the crease

45.2

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine, out Stumped!! Fifer for Rashid Khan. He's just a handful. The wrong 'un once again doing the trick. McBrine attempts to work it into the on-side, closes the bat face and is beaten. The momentum takes him out of the crease and Shahzad is lightning quick behind the stumps. Andy McBrine st Mohammad Shahzad b Rashid Khan 6(11) [4s-1]

Dawlat Zadran to Andy McBrine, no run, Andy McBrine taps it to the off-side and looks for a single. Zadran is quick to get to the ball in his followthrough and stop the duo from attempting a run

44.5

Dawlat Zadran to Andy McBrine, FOUR, much needed boundary for Ireland. Andy McBrine advances down the track and gets a thick outside edge that flies to the right off slip fielder. He dives to his and fails to get a hand to it. The ball races away down to third man fence

44.4

Dawlat Zadran to Andy McBrine, no run, good length delivery at the stumps, Andy McBrine blocks it back to Dawlat Zadran

George Dockrell, right handed bat, comes to the crease

44.3

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, out Caught by Nabi!! Big wicket for Afghanistan. Set Stuart Thompson departs. Length delivery angling away from the left-hander, Thompson tries to swing across the line and gets it off the splice of the bat. The ball skies wide of Nabi at mid-wicket, who runs to his left and takes it cleanly. S Thompson c Nabi b Dawlat Zadran 37(25) [4s-7]

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

44.2

Dawlat Zadran to Andy McBrine, 1 run, short delivery hurries Andy McBrine on the pull. Hits him on the inner thigh and he sneaks in a run. The ball rolls wide of the pitch and Zadran gets to ball in his followthrough. Has a shy at the bowler's end and misses

44.1

Dawlat Zadran to Andy McBrine, no run, nips away off the deck and beats the outside edge of Andy McBrine as he tries to dab it to the off-side

Dawlat Zadran [7.0-0-36-1] is back into the attack

Ireland need close to 10-runs per over from now on

43.6

Naib to S Thompson, no run, angles away from the left-hander, Thompson mistimes the drive to cover

43.6

Naib to S Thompson, wide, pitches on leg-stump and shapes in to miss the clip. Wide called

Comes over the wicket for the last ball of the over

43.5

Naib to Andy McBrine, 1 run, angles it on the pads, Andy McBrine tucks it wide of long-on and collects a single

43.4

Naib to Andy McBrine, no run, chops the cut wide of his off-stump. Wasn't that short and wide to attempt that shot. The ball rolls to the right of the keeper

43.3

Naib to Andy McBrine, no run, width on offer, Andy McBrine finds point on the cut

43.2

Naib to Andy McBrine, no run, Gulbadin Naib goes up for a caught behind. Anil Chaudhary shakes his head straightaway. Length delivery way outside off, Andy McBrine slashes and misses

43.1

Naib to S Thompson, 1 run, mistimes the drive down to long-on

42.6

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine, no run, pitches well outside leg and pings McBrine on the back pad. Rashid Khan goes up for a loud LBW shout. The umpire turns it down as it was slipping well down the leg

Andy McBrine, left handed bat, comes to the crease

42.5

Rashid Khan to Wilson, out Bowled!! Sixth wicket goes down. Wilson falls trying to up the ante. Gives himself room to go over extra cover and misses the googly completely. Was in no position to play that and the ball sneaks through the bat-pad gap to shatters the stumps. Wilson b Rashid Khan 14(22) [4s-1]

Rashid Khan to Wilson, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

42.4

Rashid Khan to S Thompson, 1 run, hangs on the back foot and drops it wide of point, just a single on offer

42.3

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, tad short outside off, cut past backward point for a single

42.2

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, pushes through outside off, Wilson gets across his stumps and looks to sweep. Misses it as the ball sneaks under the bat

42.1

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, leg-break outside off, play and a misses from Wilson

Rashid Khan [7.0-0-35-3] is back into the attack

41.6

Naib to Wilson, 1 run, too full outside off, Wilson reaches out for the ball and drives it to sweeper cover

Naib to S Thompson, byes, FOUR, phew! What a delivery!! Beats everyone and runs down as byes. It was a good length delivery, Thompson made room and gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball misses the leg-stump and beats the keeper to his left

41.3

Naib to Wilson, 1 run, full and way outside off, slapped in front of sweeper cover for a single

41.2

Naib to Wilson, 2 runs, excellent cricket all-round. Slower delivery outside off, Wilson picks it and drives it wide of sweeper cover. The fielder runs to his right and dives to save a couple of runs for his team

41.1

Naib to S Thompson, 1 run, Gulbadin Naib comes from round the wicket and dishes in a low full toss. Stuart Thompson drives it along the ground down to long-off, just a single

Dawlat Zadran to Wilson, no run, would have been close had the fielder hit direct at the non-striker's end. Wilson cuts it to backward point. Stuart Thompson was halfway down the track looking for the single. Wilson sends him back just in time

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, FOUR, full and gives enough width for Thompson to free his arms. Stuart Thompson goes over the top and hits it to deep extra cover. Long-off fielder gives chase, but can't prevent the ball from hitting the fence

False start. He will have to start all over again

40.2

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, 2 runs, angling away outside off, Thompson cuts it wide of backward point and calls for two straightaway. Wilson responds and they scamper back just in time

40.1

Dawlat Zadran to Wilson, 1 run, full and swinging in, Wilson squirts it off the inside edge to square leg

Final 10 overs and Ireland need 82. Gettable, especially with the Thompson played Nabi in the previous over. But Afghanistan will know that they are one wicket away from the tail. Dawlat to continue..

39.6

Nabi to S Thompson, no run, speared into the blockhole, Thompson digs it out to the off-side

39.5

Nabi to S Thompson, FOUR, four fours. Quicker on middle and leg, Thompson sinks down and gets on top of the ball, sweeps it behind square. The leg-side boundary was strengetened and still Thompson finds a loophole

39.4

Nabi to S Thompson, FOUR, hat-trick of fours. He is toying with the field. Nabi brought long-on in and Thompson saw the opportunity and slammed it over the mid-on fielder, one bounce and into the fence

Back over the wicket..

39.3

Nabi to S Thompson, FOUR, consecutive boundaries. Nabi overcompensates and goes straight this time, Thompson anticipated it, got down on one knee and swept it square on the leg-side

39.2

Nabi to S Thompson, FOUR, overpitched and Nabi pays the price, Thompson had the width as well to free his arms and he creams the drive wide of sweeper cover, who dives in vain

39.1

Nabi to Wilson, 1 run, round the wicket and fired in on leg-stump, swept to deep backward square leg

Mohammad Nabi [8.0-1-53-0] is back into the attack

38.6

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, no run, yorker just outside off, squeezed out to cover

38.5

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, no run, fullish and on the stumps, defended watchfully to mid-off

38.4

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, FOUR, Dawlat loses his radar. Short of a length down leg, Thompson stays inside the line and tickles it fine. Finer than what he expected. Shahzad dived but it was too far for him

38.3

Dawlat Zadran to Wilson, leg byes, 1 run, splays it on the legs, Wilson can't meet with the flick and the ball deflects off the pad

38.2

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, 1 run, good length ball around off, Thompson steers it to third man

38.1

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, no run, back of a length angled across off, directed to backward point with a horizontal bat

37.6

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, fuller in length and Wilson eases it to cover

37.5

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, slows it up and gets it to turn, Wilson plays down the wrong line and is beaten

37.4

Rashid Khan to S Thompson, 1 run, quicker wrong 'un and Thompson plays it late, the outside edge dribbles to short third man

37.3

Rashid Khan to S Thompson, FOUR, full toss outside off, Thompson ain't missing out, he pumps it straight back down the ground. The umpire was in the firing line and he ducks as a precautionary measure

A slip in place..

37.2

Rashid Khan to S Thompson, no run, googly outside off, Thompson is nowhere close to the ball, plays it inside the line and lets it pass

37.1

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, drops the googly short and Wilson cuts to sweeper cover

36.6

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, no run, top quality stuff from Dawlat. Fast, skiddy and reversing. Those are deadly combinations. Shortens the length and gets it to shape away late, Thompson pokes at it and is beaten comprehensively

36.5

Dawlat Zadran to S Thompson, no run, dropped! It was a tough one, but once Shahzad got a hand, he should have held on. Back of a length and curling away, Thompson is opened up as he feels for the ball, the outside edge flies to the left of Shahzad, who flies across and can't cling on with one hand

Stuart Thompson, left handed bat, comes to the crease

36.4

Dawlat Zadran to Balbirnie, out Lbw!! This was always on the cards. Dawlat with his reverse swing is a lethal weapon to possess. Fullish in length and darts back in, Balbirnie is not fully forward as he looks to drive, beaten on the inside edge and struck on the back pad. Easy decision for the umpire. Balbirnie lbw b Dawlat Zadran 11(23)

Dawlat Zadran to Balbirnie, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

36.3

Dawlat Zadran to Wilson, 1 run, Dawlat is certainly getting some reverse. Another one which nips back in sharply, Wilson prods forward and ekes out an inside edge onto the back thigh, if not for the piece of wood, he was a goner

36.2

Dawlat Zadran to Balbirnie, 1 run, good length ball with a bit of tail in, pushed off the inner part of the bat to mid-wicket

36.1

Dawlat Zadran to Balbirnie, no run, on a length close to off, Balbirnie defends with loose hands to cover

Dawlat Zadran [4.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack

35.6

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, 1 run, punched to sweeper cover

35.5

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, opens the bat face and taps it wide of cover, sets off for a quick single and a direct hit would have consumed Wilson. Even a dive from him would have not saved him

35.4

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, 1 run, steered with the turn to short third man

35.3

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, no run, flighted around off, Balbirnie pushes it meekly back to Rashid

35.3

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, wide, wrong 'un turns down leg, Balbirnie can't reach it and he is in fact nowhere close to the ball, the umpire signals a wide

35.2

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, no run, quicker and outside off, Balbirnie is beaten for pace. Past the outside edge in a flash

35.1

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, no run, defended off the front foot towards cover

34.6

Amir Hamza to Wilson, no run, pushed gently to cover

34.5

Amir Hamza to Wilson, FOUR, Wilson is off the mark with a boundary, picks a very full delivery to play the sweep and does well to place it in the gap. Seemed like the deep square leg fielder didn't pick that up

34.4

Amir Hamza to Wilson, no run, steps out and pushes it tamely to cover

34.3

Amir Hamza to Wilson, no run, comes down the track and yorks himself, dug back to the bowler

34.2

Amir Hamza to Balbirnie, 1 run, angled in from round the wicket, worked away wide of mid-wicket

34.1

Amir Hamza to Balbirnie, no run, slower and just outside off, Balbirnie cuts and misses. The ball stays low and sneaks past the under edge

33.6

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, fullish and around off, Wilson pushes it to cover

Gary Wilson, right handed bat, comes to the crease

33.5

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, out Caught by Nabi!! The bowling change has worked. A drinks break brings about a wicket in cricket, again. The wrong 'un and Porterfield closed the bat face in an attempt to work it into the leg-side, the leading edge lobbed to extra cover. Dolly for Nabi. Porterfield c Nabi b Rashid Khan 45(46) [4s-4]

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

33.4

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, 1 run, speared in full outside off, squeezed off the outside edge to short third man

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, brings out the reverse sweep and cue-ends it to extra cover

31.2

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, push-driven to the right of Nabi

31.1

Nabi to Porterfield, FOUR, the boundaries are flowing from Porterfield's bat. He had missed this shot in the last couple of overs, not this time though. Flatter and on the pads, whipped in front of square. No chance for the man in the deep

30.6

Amir Hamza to Balbirnie, no run, nurdled round the corner - straight to short fine leg

30.5

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, 1 run, quicker and on the stumps, picked away to deep mid-wicket

30.4

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, no run, fired into the blockhole, dug back to Hamza

30.3

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, FOUR, for the second time in the over Porterfield peppers the deep extra cover boundary. Fullish and outside off, Porterfield leans forward and creams the drive through extra cover

30.2

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, no run, very full and almost in the yorker length, jammed back to the bowler

30.1

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, FOUR, Porterfield needs to take over the mantle from Stirling. Short and outside off, he backs away slightly and crashes it through the off-side, right between extra cover and mid-off

Nabi to Porterfield, FOUR, errs in line and Porterfield does not miss out, down leg and he kneels down to broom it away behind square, the fielder was square and had no chance to stop that

29.4

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, drifting in and Porterfield is struggling when playing it through the on-side. Misses and is struck on the pad, once more the ball was skidding past leg-stump

29.3

Nabi to Balbirnie, 1 run, pushed down to long-on

29.2

Nabi to Balbirnie, no run, slows it up outside off, Balbirnie is careful in his forward defence

29.1

Nabi to Balbirnie, no run, flatter and just outside off, dabbed in front of backward point

28.6

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, 1 run, very full and around off, squeezed back to Rashid, who makes a half stop

28.5

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, no run, the conventional leg-break and Balbirnie steers it with the turn to short third man

28.4

Rashid Khan to Balbirnie, no run, googly which is looped up outside off, Balbirnie pushes it back to the bowler

Andrew Balbirnie, right handed bat, comes to the crease

28.3

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, out Lbw!! Second wicket for Rashid and yet again he is turning the match on its head. The slider which skids on after pitching, O'Brien was not picking him and played down the wrong line, caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger. Niall O'Brien lbw b Rashid Khan 5(7)

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

28.2

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, no run, once more the googly, O'Brien hangs back and the outside edge drops in front of the slip fielder

28.1

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, no run, wrong 'un that spins away, O'Brien misses it by a long way and Shahzad has a good laugh behind the stumps, he knows that O'Brien didn't pick Rashid there

27.6

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, whipped to mid-wicket, straight to Stanikzai

27.5

Nabi to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, shortens the length and is punched to sweeper cover

27.4

Nabi to Niall O'Brien, 2 runs, nimbles down the wicket and drives wide of long-off, the fielder had a lot of ground to cover and the duo come back for the second with ease

27.3

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, driven down the ground to long-off

27.2

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, sliding on from round the wicket, Porterfield fails to meet with the sweep and is hit on the pad. This was going down leg and hence they abort (Shahzad and Nabi) from the appeal

27.1

Nabi to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, played it with soft hands in front of cover and the single was on

26.6

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, no run, played against the turn to the left of the bowler. Rashid and Porterfield have a staring competition

26.5

Rashid Khan to Niall O'Brien, 1 run, quicker and around off, O'Brien taps it to the right of cover

Niall O'Brien, left handed bat, comes to the crease

26.4

Rashid Khan to Stirling, out Lbw!! Stirling is gutted with himself. He's furious. Still mouthing away on his way back. That was a harsh one from the umpire. The wrong 'un which was turning too much, Stirling stayed back and missed the nudge, is rapped in front of leg-stump. The ball would have spun down leg. This could be the turning point in the game. What's more he misses out on a well-deserved hundred. Stirling lbw b Rashid Khan 95(80) [4s-9 6s-5]

Rashid Khan to Stirling, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

26.3

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, 1 run, nudged away through the on-side

26.2

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, bunted between point and cover and races across to the other end

26.1

Rashid Khan to Stirling, SIX, wow! He is striking them cleanly. Half tracker but still had to be put away, rocks back and muscles the pull over mid-wicket. No one in the deep and even if they were, it wouldn't have mattered. Into the 90s

Nabi to Stirling, SIX, mighty! This is some innings. Floated up around off, Stirling sinks low to get underneath that and slog sweeps it into the grass banks at deep mid-wicket. All the way!

25.4

Nabi to Stirling, FOUR, there's the boundary for the over. Stirling has managed that nicely throughout the innings. Bit more air and he goes downtown, straight back over the bowler's head

25.3

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, flighted on the stumps, Porterfield gives himself room and drives to long-off

25.2

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, comes down the track and drives with a straight bat to long-on

25.1

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, drops it short and Porterfield pulls it over mid-wicket, long-on tidies up

24.6

Rashid Khan to Stirling, leg byes, 2 runs, wrong 'un which starts from middle, Stirling fails to meet with the glance, off the pad and races away fine. Hamza gives chase from short fine and keeps it to a double

24.5

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, 1 run, waits for the spin and then closes the bat face to milk a single to backward square leg

24.4

Rashid Khan to Porterfield, no run, quicker and just outside off, Porterfield cuts and misses. Beaten for the pace. Rashid is a skiddy customer and that hurried off the surface

24.3

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 1 run, shortens the length and Stirling punches it to sweeper cover

24.2

Rashid Khan to Stirling, FOUR, fetches the sweep from outside off and crashes it wide of long-on, he got it right off the screws as the fielder had to move 10 yards and still he couldn't get there

24.1

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, floated up close to off, Stirling stonewalls it down the wicket

23.6

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, offers width but Porterfield can't place the drive, picks out extra cover. Maiden!

23.5

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, blocked back to the bowler

23.4

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, another LBW shout and the umpire is unmoved. He gestures that it was going down leg. Porterfield misses the sweep and is struck in front of middle. The ball had straightened and would have crashed into the sticks

23.3

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, now the reverse sweep, but Nabi slowed it up and hence no timing on that, straight to short third

23.2

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, glanced with the angle to short fine leg

23.1

Nabi to Porterfield, no run, starts from round the wicket and darts it in, Porterfield defends off the inside edge to mid-wicket

Mohammad Nabi [3.0-0-18-0] is back into the attack

22.6

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, flighted around off, Stirling defends to the off-side, went a bit uppishly but no harm done

22.5

Rashid Khan to Stirling, FOUR, lovely batting. Stirling looks to be in the zone. Shuffles across and gets inside the line, then sweeps it behind square. Beating the man at 45 as well as the fielder in the deep

22.4

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, wrong 'un on a shortish length, punched to extra cover

22.3

Rashid Khan to Stirling, 2 runs, tossed up on off, Stirling kneels down and brooms it to deep backward square leg. In the gap and two more added to the tally

22.2

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, half tracker outside off, Stirling wanted to pull it into the leg-side, hits it to the left of Rashid, who sticks his boot out and stops the ball

22.1

Rashid Khan to Stirling, no run, googly on off, Stirling defends it to the off-side

Rashid Khan, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

21.6

Shenwari to Porterfield, no run, appeal for LBW is turned down. Flighted on the stumps, Porterfield leans forward and misses the nudge, is rapped on the pads but the ball was going down leg

21.5

Shenwari to Porterfield, no run, Shenwari is firing them in, Porterfield shapes to play the cut and is beaten by the pace

21.4

Shenwari to Porterfield, 2 runs, low full toss down leg, clipped to deep backward square, once again in the gap and the duo are able to sprint back for the second

21.3

Shenwari to Stirling, 1 run, punched to the right of Shenwari, who can't stop it with a full length dive

21.2

Shenwari to Stirling, 2 runs, darted short and on leg-stump, Stirling helps it along the way to long leg. Rashid gives chase and does well to flick it in, keeps the batsmen down to a brace

21.1

Shenwari to Porterfield, 1 run, worked with the turn to long-on

20.6

Naib to Stirling, SIX, Stirling keeps going. Is it his day? The slower delivery that is dragged down, Stirling had all the time in the world to pick his spot, nails the pull over deep mid-wicket

20.5

Naib to Porterfield, 1 run, might have been the slower ball and Porterfield looks to swipe it across the line, off the inside edge to fine leg

20.4

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, shortens the length, Stirling camps back and drives to sweeper cover

20.3

Naib to Porterfield, 1 run, cramps the batsman for room, tucked in front of square on the leg-side

20.2

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, on a length and outside off, driven on the up to sweeper cover

20.1

Naib to Porterfield, 1 run, back of a length angled across off, steered away to third man

19.6

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, gets across, gets down low and tries to sweep but the ball is too full. It sneaks under him and hits the pad. The impact is outside off though

19.5

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, jams the drive back to the bowler

19.4

Shenwari to Porterfield, 1 run, drives the overpitched delivery to mid-off and takes off for a quick single. There is shy from the fielder which misses the stumps and runs away to deep point. Porterfield is interested in the overthrow but Stirling sends him back

19.3

Shenwari to Stirling, 1 run, gets forward and pushes it down to long-off for another single

19.2

Shenwari to Porterfield, 1 run, nudges the low full toss down to long-on

19.1

Shenwari to Stirling, 1 run, driven down to long-off. A bit too full from Shenwari there

18.6

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, knocks the slower delivery through the mid-wicket region

18.6

Naib to Stirling, wide, drifts the slower ball down leg-side

18.5

Naib to Porterfield, 1 run, short and wide, Porterfield mistimes the cut wide of point

18.4

Naib to Porterfield, no run, played back down the pitch

18.3

Naib to Porterfield, no run, good length delivery on off, Porterfield defends forward

William Porterfield, left handed bat, comes to the crease

18.2

Naib to Ed Joyce, out Bowled!! Oh he's ended up taking a few liberties too many. Makes room to open up the off-side and slashes at a delivery on off-stump. The ball skids on, doesn't bounce a great deal and sneaks through to make a mess of the furniture. The length wasn't there for the shot. Afghanistan have their breakthrough. Ed Joyce b Naib 55(59) [4s-5 6s-2]

Naib to Ed Joyce, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

18.1

Naib to Ed Joyce, FOUR, muscles the pull through mid-wicket. He picks the length early, rocks back and whacks it away

17.6

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, knocks it to cover

17.5

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, shortish outside off, Stirling late-cuts to backward point

Shenwari to Stirling, 1 run, tossed up outside off, Stirling slaps it inside-out over extra-cover but long-off is wide enough to be able to cut it off

17.2

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, pushed back to the bowler

17.1

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, defended into the covers

16.6

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, cut away through to sweeper cover

16.5

Naib to Ed Joyce, 1 run, gets away with a miscue to bring up a half-century! He goes for the pull but splices it up in the air. The ball lands short of mid-on to his left. His bottom-hand came off there

16.4

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, chops the widish delivery to cover

16.3

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, steered to backward point

16.2

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, the lack of bounce foils his back foot thrust through the covers. It sneaks through from a back of a length to the keeper

16.1

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, full on middle and leg, Joyce works it to mid-wicket

Time for drinks!

15.6

Shenwari to Ed Joyce, 1 run, turning into the pads, Joyce clips it through mid-wicket

15.5

Shenwari to Ed Joyce, FOUR, short and wide, Joyce throws his hands at that one and lashes it away through the backward point region for a boundary

15.4

Shenwari to Ed Joyce, no run, clips the pad on the way to the keeper this time

15.4

Shenwari to Ed Joyce, wide, fired down the leg-side, wided. 100 is on the board for Ireland

15.3

Shenwari to Stirling, 1 run, slides back in the crease and jabs the leg-break down to long-on

15.2

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, fails to get the cut away past point

15.1

Shenwari to Stirling, no run, flat leg-break turning away from off, Stirling pushes it to point

Samiullah Shenwari, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

14.6

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, clips the full ball off the pads to mid-wicket

Naib to Ed Joyce, 3 wides, down the leg-side, it bounces just in front of keeper Shahzad making it a difficult take for him. The ball sneaks through. A couple of extra runs before third man cuts it off

14.3

Naib to Ed Joyce, FOUR, swings through the line straight down the ground. Ireland continue to find the fence with regularity

14.2

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, low full toss is skewed to mid-on

14.1

Naib to Ed Joyce, no run, mistimes the drive wide of short cover where Shenwari dives and prevents the single

13.6

Nabi to Stirling, SIX, once again .. goes all the way this time. He's sweeping with the turn which is a fairly safe option and the fielder at backward square is inside the circle

13.5

Nabi to Stirling, FOUR, he's picked his spot there. Shuffled across a bit before getting down low and sweeping it over backward square leg

13.4

Nabi to Ed Joyce, 1 run, tossed up nicely, invites the drive from Joyce but a little bit of turn creates the mis-hit. But it dribbles away wide of point for a single

13.3

Nabi to Ed Joyce, no run, driven back to the bowler

13.2

Nabi to Ed Joyce, no run, slows it up on a length outside off, Joyce defends towards point

13.1

Nabi to Ed Joyce, no run, played back to the bowler

12.6

Naib to Ed Joyce, 1 run, drags the full ball through mid-wicket. It's cut off by the fielder in the deep

12.6

Naib to Stirling, no ball, 1 run, oopsy, that's a no-ball. A high full toss which catches Stirling by surprise and he lobs it off a thick top-edge into the square leg region. So a free-hit for Joyce next ball

12.5

Naib to Stirling, no run, smashes the drive on the up but hits it straight to cover

12.4

Naib to Stirling, SIX, that's brute power! Stirling is on the back foot but still is able to muscle the slower back of a length delivery away for six straight down the ground. Remarkable shot

12.3

Naib to Stirling, no run, on the bounce to a diving mid-wicket. Stirling mistimes a pull off a delivery which isn't short enough but he's mistimed it badly enough that the ball doesn't carry

12.2

Naib to Stirling, no run, pitched up at the stumps, Stirling clears his front leg and drives to cover

12.1

Naib to Stirling, no run, smacks the slower length ball straight to Stanikzai at mid-off

12.1

Naib to Stirling, wide, the slower ball drifts down leg. It's made to look worse with Stirling moving a long way across to paddle it away and missing. Given as a wide

11.6

Nabi to Ed Joyce, no run, drives off the back foot back to the bowler

11.5

Nabi to Ed Joyce, no run, defends off the front foot

11.4

Nabi to Ed Joyce, FOUR, he's created that shot from almost nothing. Pushed through the air outside off, the length isn't short at all but Joyce still manages to late-cut it behind backward point. That's a top, top shot

11.3

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, works it down to long-on

11.2

Nabi to Stirling, no run, jumps out of the crease and plays it back to the bowler. Nabi cleverly bowled that wider

11.1

Nabi to Ed Joyce, 1 run, dances down the pitch and drives the off-break to long-off

10.6

Naib to Stirling, no run, blocks the back of a length delivery on middle

10.5

Naib to Ed Joyce, 1 run, slower back of a length delivery outside off, dabbed down to third man

10.4

Naib to Stirling, 1 run, nudges the short of length delivery through square leg

Nabi to Ed Joyce, no run, starts from round the wicket, flatter and on off, Joyce pushes it to extra cover

Mohammad Nabi, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

8.6

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 1 run, flatter and around off, Joyce wrists it to long-on

8.5

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, quicker and outside off, Joyce cuts and misses. Once more the lack of bounce foiling Joyce's attempted cut

8.4

Amir Hamza to Stirling, 1 run, worked away off the pads to deep mid-wicket

8.3

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 1 run, Hamza saw him coming down and pushed it wide outside off, Joyce used his pad as the second line of defence, the ball rolls to backward point and Dawlat strikes timber at the bowler's end. Joyce had just planted his foot inside the crease. The umpire seems to have given it as runs

Third umpire called for a run-out check. Joyce was a bit too casual in reaching the crease. Did not ground his bat and it was a direct hit at the bowler's end. The umpire did not want to take any chance and went upstairs. He's made it in. Not Out!

8.2

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, SIX, back-to-back sixes for Joyce. Quicker delivery and still Joyce dances down the wicket, gets closer than the previous time, smashes it flat and over a leaping long-on fielder

8.1

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, SIX, this should make him feel good. Tossed up delivery on off, Joyce comes down the track and gets close to the ball, then uses the long handle to loft it over the long-on fence

7.6

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, wicket-to-wicket stuff from Dawlat, Stirling is solidly behind that

7.5

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, FOUR, smartly played by Stirling. He knows the onus is on him to score quickly, especially with Joyce struggling. Opens the bat face at the last instant and glides the back of a length delivery to the third man fence

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, well-disguised slower delivery, Joyce did not pick it, he was trying the steer to third man and is completely undone by the lack of pace. Goes on the bounce to Shahzad

7.2

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, full and zeroing in on the stumps, Joyce stays in the crease and bunts it out

7.1

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, short of length just outside off, Joyce rides the bounce and punches to extra cover. Shenwari moves to his right and dives, makes a fine stop and saves a couple

6.6

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, the arm-ball drifts in and keeps a touch low, Stirling adjusts well and blunts it to extra cover

6.5

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 1 run, chips down the wicket and works it towards mid-wicket

6.4

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, slower through the air and on the stumps, blocked to the off-side

6.3

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 2 runs, "catch" were the shouts. Joyce comes down the track and lofts it towards long-on. He hit it flat and the ball bounced in front of Shafiq, who did well to get his body behind the line

6.2

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 2 runs, uses his feet and looks to go with the turn over mid-wicket, but drags it off the inner portion of the bat to deep square leg. Noor Ali slides and stops

6.1

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, FOUR, a much needed hit for Joyce, he was getting bogged down. Pushed across off, Joyce backs away and drills the drive through extra cover, placed it to perfection

5.6

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, Dawlat is on the shorter side, Stirling stands tall and punches to extra cover

5.5

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, 1 run, back of a length around off, bunted in front of mid-off and a quick single taken

5.4

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, shortens the length and gets Joyce on his toes, patted to backward point. A needless throw from Shafiq and luckily the mid-on fielder is there to back it up

5.3

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, on a length close to off, Joyce presses it to cover after prodding forward

5.2

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, shout for LBW and umpire Anil Chaudhary in action, again. Back of a length and nips in, Joyce is caught in the crease and struck around the kneeroll. That ball pitched outside leg and height was also an issue

The umpires are checking the shape of the ball. They ask for a replacement. Umpire Anil Chaudhary selects one from the box and tosses it up to Dawlat.

5.1

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, this good length delivery held up on the wicket, Joyce checks his defensive shot and almost pops it back to Dawlat. The ball dropped just in front of him

4.6

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, quicker and on off, Stirling defends with the bat and pad close together

4.5

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 1 run, shimmies down and whips along with the turn to long-on

4.4

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, flatter and around off, punched straight to mid-off. Stirling wanted the single but is sent back in the nick of time, he was halfway down before Joyce said no

4.3

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, straight roller around off, Joyce closes the bat face and the soft leading edge rolls to cover

4.2

Amir Hamza to Stirling, 1 run, now uses his feet to get to the ball and drives to long-off

4.1

Amir Hamza to Stirling, FOUR, width provided and Stirling slashes it behind square, he got on top of the bounce and used his power to get it past the packed off-side field. Good start to the over

3.6

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, no run, on the pads and Joyce flicks it to mid-wicket. Rashid sends in a direct hit at the bowler's end and umpire Anil Choudhary refers it upstairs. Stirling is back in and it's an easy call

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, 1 run, once more Stirling tries to force it on the up, the outside edge runs down to third man

3.3

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, short of length and hurries onto Stirling, who is late in bringing his bat across, ekes out an inside edge onto the thigh pad and the ball drops safely to the on-side

3.2

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, 2 runs, good length ball around off, Stirling drives on the up through extra cover's dive, Naib from mid-off gives chase and keeps it to a brace

3.1

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, back of a length on off, Stirling hangs back and stonewalls

2.6

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, quicker and stays a touch low, Joyce makes room and cracks it to extra cover

2.5

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, stifled appeal for LBW. Joyce takes a step out and is undone by the turn, is rapped on the pads in front of off-stump. But the ball straighten enough to hit the wickets? The umpire did not think so

2.4

Amir Hamza to Stirling, 1 run, tossed up on off, Stirling crouches low and nurdles it to the right of the square leg umpire

2.3

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, shortens the length and pushes it through, punched to extra cover

2.2

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, looped up close to off, Stirling presses forward and blocks

2.1

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 1 run, nudged into the vast acres of space on the on-side

1.6

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, FOUR, Dawlat's poor first over comes to an end. Slips one on to the pads and is picked away, Stirling was inside the line and he glances it fine for the second boundary of the over

1.5

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, good length ball around off, Stirling is rock solid in his forward defence

1.4

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no run, fuller and on off, Stirling presents the straight bat and drives to mid-on

1.3

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, FOUR, Stirling has taken toll of the delivery. Short and around the tummy, he swivels and pulls it off the front foot to backward square. No chance for the fine leg fielder

Free-hit coming up..

1.3

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, no ball, it's a big no-ball from Dawlat. Stirling is let off the hook early on. Short and wide delivery outside off, Stirling reaches out and cuts. The under edge might have just carried to Shahzad. However, it comes down to nothing

Afghanistan are celebrating. Stirling is not going anywhere. The umpires get together and send it upstairs. There checking if it carried to Shahzad. The soft signal is Not Out. So there needs to be conclusive evidence to overturn the onfield decision. Is it a no-ball? Yes. Dawlat has overstepped. That's that!

1.2

Dawlat Zadran to Stirling, 2 runs, straight, on off and middle, Stirling plays it right under his eyes and flicks it towards mid-wicket, Nabi dives and the ball is out of his reach, two more

Dawlat also has a slip..

1.1

Dawlat Zadran to Ed Joyce, 1 run, full and slanted across the left-hander, Joyce looks to drive without any feet movement, the ball takes the inside edge and rolls to square leg

Dawlat Zadran, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, attacks the stumps with a flattish delivery. Stirling blocks to the right of Hamza

0.5

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, drifting in with the arm, Stirling works it to short fine leg

0.4

Amir Hamza to Stirling, FOUR, a gift for Stirling to get off the mark, long hop outside off, Stirling is quick to pounce on that, goes back and cuts it square on the off-side, no need to run for those

0.3

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, skids on outside off, Stirling covers the line, lifts his bat and lets it go

0.2

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, 1 run, Hamza goes fuller this time and Joyce drives it to long-on to open his account

A slip in place..

0.1

Amir Hamza to Ed Joyce, no run, goes straight on with the angle from round the wicket, Joyce plays for the turn and it takes the outer half of the bat and rolls to backward point

Ed Joyce and Stirling are at the crease. Ed Joyce is on strike. Amir Hamza will open the attack

Ireland's highest successful run chase in ODIs is 329 against England in the 2011 World Cup. So, they know how to go about chasing big totals, but will Kevin O'Brien badly. A lot will depend on the start and the top three batsmen. Out walk Stirling and Ed Joyce. The former picked up six wickets and now his team needs him to fire with the bat. Amir Hamza as usual will open the bowling. Off we go..

Stanikzai was considered the weak link in the Afghanistan batting line-up, but he showed why he is the leader of the pack. After the brisk start provided by Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah and Stanikzai consolidated to add a 96-run stand. The skipper paced his innings to perfection, his first 50 came off 63 balls, while the next took only 25. The skipper's maiden ODI hundred and Shafiq's blitz at the end has given Afghanistan a mammoth total. Ireland have their task cut out. They have a record chase on their hands. Join us back to see how they go about it..

49.6

Stirling to Dawlat Zadran, out Caught by Porterfield!! Make it six for Stirling. Three wickets in the final over and Afghanistan have been bowled out. Tossed up on off, Zadran lofts and gets a lot of height. Porterfield settles under it at long-on and takes a well-judged catch. Dawlat Zadran c Porterfield b Stirling 3(3)

Stirling to Dawlat Zadran, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

49.5

Stirling to Dawlat Zadran, 2 runs, dropped! Short and turning away outside off, Zadran toe-ends the cut towards extra cover. It was going away from the fielder, who runs back and gets both hands, but the ball does not stick

Amir Hamza, right handed bat, comes to the crease

49.4

Stirling to Shafiqullah, out Caught by S Thompson!! Fifer for Stirling. That's his first in ODIs. Another rank long hop fetches him a wicket, Shafiq pulls and finds the deep mid-wicket fielder. Thompson does not have to move an inch. Shafiqullah c S Thompson b Stirling 35(17) [4s-4 6s-2]

Stirling to Shafiqullah, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

49.3

Stirling to Shafiqullah, SIX, Shafiq is playing a gem here. Floated up around off, Shafiq shuffles across, kneels down and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket. The catch is taken in the crowd

49.2

Stirling to Dawlat Zadran, 1 run, nudged with the turn towards point

Dawlat Zadran, right handed bat, comes to the crease

49.1

Stirling to Rashid Khan, out Stumped!! Fourth wicket for Stirling. He might consider changing into a leg-spinner after today. Tossed up invitingly outside off, Rashid shimmies down and is beaten by the turn. Niall O'Brien will not get easier stumping chances than that. Rashid Khan st Niall O'Brien b Stirling 6(4) [4s-1]

Stirling to Rashid Khan, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!

48.6

Chase to Shafiqullah, SIX, fullish and around off, Shafiq says thank you very much and smacks it over long-on. He just went through the line and sent way over the rope. A costly day in the office for Chase, 10-0-92-1

48.5

Chase to Shafiqullah, 2 runs, winds up for a big mow to the leg-side, drags it off the inside edge towards long-on. Rashid is quick to get back for the second

48.4

Chase to Shafiqullah, FOUR, full toss outside off, Shafiq slices it over backward point. With third man inside the ring, that was easy pickings

48.3

Chase to Shafiqullah, 2 runs, did Wilson save four? Short delivery and Shafiq pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Wilson moves across to his right to take the catch, but the momentum was taking him over, he flicks the ball back in play. The third umpire checks and deems it as a good save

48.2

Chase to Rashid Khan, 1 run, very full and just outside off, Rashid squeezes the drive to extra cover

48.1

Chase to Shafiqullah, byes, 1 run, Shafiq runs down the wicket in an attempt to heave to the leg-side, is deceived by the lack of pace and Niall O'Brien does not glove it cleanly, Rashid races across

47.6

Stirling to Rashid Khan, FOUR, improvisation from Rashid. He might have been sent ahead of Dawlat to tackle Stirling's leg-spinners, I guess. Tossed up on off, he reverse sweeps it over backward point

Stirling to Shafiqullah, no run, low full toss on the stumps, paddled straight to short fine leg

47.3

Stirling to Shafiqullah, FOUR, what was that? Must have slipped out. Stirling drops it so short that is almost bounced near his feet, Shafiq in an order to pull almost holes out to deep mid-wicket, he pulls and the two fielders in the deep keep looking at each other rather than going for the catch

47.2

Stirling to Rashid Khan, 1 run, short and outside off, Rashid cuts to cover and a misfield allows him to get off the mark

Rashid Khan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

47.1

Stirling to Naib, out Stumped!! Wow! Stirling has three now. Those leggies are really causing troubles to the Afghanistan batsmen. They need to be careful here, can be bowled out within 50 overs. Floated up around off, Naib is sucked into the forward push, is beaten by the turn and his balance takes him out of the crease. Easy for Niall O'Brien. Naib st Niall O'Brien b Stirling 0(1)

Chase to Shafiqullah, FOUR, Chase goes full and is punished. Shafiq packs a punch behind every shot, he reaches out for the delivery and hammers it down the ground, on the bounce to the long-off fence

Gulbadin Naib, right handed bat, comes to the crease

46.4

Chase to Stanikzai, out Caught by Wilson!! Stanikzai's fantastic innings comes to an end. The helicopter does not take off. Very full and close to yorker length, Stanikzai clears his front leg and plays the helicopter not ala Dhoni style, but close enough. He gets a lot of height than distance. Wilson runs forward from deep mid-wicket and clings on to a low catch. Stanikzai c Wilson b Chase 101(90) [4s-6 6s-6]

Chase to Shafiqullah, FOUR, Chase misses the yorker length by a couple of inches and he's punished, Shafiq gets underneath the ball and smashes it on the bounce to the long-on fence

46.1

Chase to Shafiqullah, no run, slower delivery outside off, just inside the tramline, Shafiq lets it pass thinking it was a wide

Peter Chase [8.0-0-68-0] is back into the attack

45.6

Stirling to Shafiqullah, 1 run, very full and on the stumps, jammed out to long-on

45.5

Stirling to Shafiqullah, no run, turn for Stirling. Tossed up just outside off, Shafiq goes searching for the ball and is beaten all ends up

45.4

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, low full toss on off, squirted off the inside edge to backward square leg

Shafiqullah Shafiq, right handed bat, comes to the crease

45.3

Stirling to Nabi, out Caught by Porterfield!! Stirling getting some crucial wickets at the final stages of the innings. Nabi takes on the leg-break, the ball dips in front of him and he miscues the loft towards long-on. The ball keeps swirling and Porterfield does well to keep his eyes on the ball and takes it with the help of his chest. Nabi c Porterfield b Stirling 14(10) [4s-1 6s-1]

Stirling to Nabi, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

45.2

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, maiden ODI hundred. Look at him go. He straightaway starts celebrating. Takes his helmet off and raises his bat. Whole of his team are up on their feet applauding the effort. Soaks it all in and is also congratulated by Nabi. Short and wide delivery, Stanikzai cuts to sweeper cover and reaches the landmark

45.1

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, lovely loop and drift for Stirling on this leggie, flighted on off, Stanikzai is drawn into the forward prod, the ball turns and beats the outside edge. Stirling went up for a caught behind, but nothing from Niall O'Brien

44.6

S Thompson to Stanikzai, 1 run, fuller and outside off, Stanikzai eases it to backward point and moves onto 99

44.5

S Thompson to Nabi, 1 run, this time the inside edge, Thompson goes full and on off, Nabi goes for the big shot and skews it off the edge to short fine

44.4

S Thompson to Nabi, FOUR, streaky runs for Nabi. Makes room and looks to lift it over the off-side. The ball takes the outside edge and flies over the short third man for a boundary

44.3

S Thompson to Nabi, SIX, not the kind of delivery you want to bowl at this stage of the innings. Length delivery just outside off, Nabi clears his front foot and thumps it over the long-on fence

44.2

S Thompson to Nabi, no run, slower full delivery, Nabi mistimes the drive back to Thompson. He went hard there

44.1

S Thompson to Nabi, no run, length delivery just outside off, Nabi clears his front leg and swings across the line. He was undone by the lack of bounce

43.6

Stirling to Nabi, 1 run, shortens the length and Nabi whips it down to long-on

43.5

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, Stanikzai wants to do it in singles. Taps with soft hands and races across to the other end

43.4

Stirling to Nabi, 1 run, takes it on the full and drives to long-off

43.3

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, defended off the outer half wide of point

43.2

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, turn and bounce, short and spinning away outside off, Stanikzai cuts and misses. Niall O'Brien went up for a caught behind, but nothing from the umpire

43.1

Stirling to Stanikzai, FOUR, nicely played. It was short alright, but still needed to be put away, Stanikzai cuts it late and behind square, splits backward point and short third man expertly. One shot away now

Stirling to Nabi, 1 run, flatter and on leg-stump, worked away gently to mid-wicket

Mohammad Nabi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

41.4

Stirling to Shenwari, out Caught by Ed Joyce!! Finally, the leg-break works for Stirling. It was a rank long hop and Shenwari went leg-side, he was better off hitting it on the off-side, pulled it straight down Joyce's throat at long-on. Shenwari c Ed Joyce b Stirling 14(18)

Stirling to Shenwari, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

41.3

Stirling to Shenwari, no run, touch short and turning away, Shenwari pulls and misses. He was undone by the lack of bounce

Stirling to Shenwari, 1 run, leg-break which is short in length, wristed to long-on

Paul Stirling [5.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack

40.6

Chase to Stanikzai, no run, slower delivery around off, Stanikzai taps it in front of backward point and is not keen on the single

40.5

Chase to Stanikzai, SIX, Chase being taken to the cleaners. Nothing working for him. Full and outside off, Stanikzai makes a decent connection with the inside out loft and clears the deep extra cover fence quite comfortably

40.4

Chase to Stanikzai, SIX, Stanikzai is dealing only in sixes now. What an innings this turning out to be. Nice friendly full toss, he cleared his front leg to slot it over the deep mid-wicket fence

40.3

Chase to Stanikzai, SIX, banged in short and Chase does not have the pace to trouble the batsman, Stanikzai rocks back and muscles the pull over backward square. The fielder in the deep could only pick the ball up from the fence

Stanikzai seems to have done some damage to the bat. Asks for a replacement and gets one quickly..

40.2

Chase to Stanikzai, FOUR, Stanikzai is toying with the bowling now. Full and wide outside off, he took advantage of the fact that mid-off was inside the ring, tonks it over the infield and collects four more

40.1

Chase to Shenwari, 1 run, back of a length on the hips, clipped to deep square leg

Peter Chase [7.0-0-45-0] is back into the attack

39.6

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, flatter and on off, punched to long-off. Dockrell finishes a good spell, 10-0-45-2. He should have had a wicket more, but he has been the pick of the Irish bowlers so far

39.5

Dockrell to Shenwari, no run, defended back down the wicket

39.4

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, Dockrell goes up for LBW. That looked close but umpire signals that there was some glove. Stanikzai shuffles across and misses the sweep, the ball brushed the glove after making contact with the thigh pad. Stanikzai gets away with one

39.3

Dockrell to Stanikzai, FOUR, flighted around off, Stanikzai kneels down and brooms it away, rolled his wrist to keep it along the ground. Bisected short fine leg and backward square to perfection

39.2

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, worked to backward square

39.1

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, Shenwari smartly drives to long-off and hands the strike back to Stanikzai

38.6

Murtagh to Stanikzai, SIX, the problem with Murtagh's slower ones are, it is right in the swinging slot, Stanikzai once more gets underneath the ball and slams it over wide long-on. The fielders were reduced to mere spectators. 19 off the over

38.5

Murtagh to Stanikzai, no run, very full and just outside off, Stanikzai squeezes the drive to cover

38.4

Murtagh to Stanikzai, 2 runs, fifty for Stanikzai. Third batsmen to reach the landmark in the innings. He has paced it to perfection. Pumps his fists after completing the second. Shenwari congratulates his skipper. Low full toss outside off, Stanikzai drives wide of sweeper cover and races back for the second

38.3

Murtagh to Stanikzai, SIX, Murtagh is leaking plenty. The change of pace is not working for him, Stanikzai picks the off-speed delivery, sinks down to one knee and thrashes it over deep mid-wicket

38.2

Murtagh to Stanikzai, FOUR, almost took the umpire! Slower off-cutter from Murtagh, which was right in the slot, Stanikzai clears his front leg and slams it straight down the ground. The umpire was ducking for cover

38.1

Murtagh to Shenwari, 1 run, short and wide, Shenwari rides the bounce and slaps it to sweeper cover

37.6

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, fired in on the pads, Stanikzai nudges it to backward square

37.5

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, now the conventional sweep, fetches it from outside off and nails it to the right of backward square, Murtagh dives and saves a certain boundary

37.4

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, paddled straight to short fine leg

37.3

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, worked off the pads towards square leg. Murtagh gets across and prevents the single

37.2

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, slower and on off, Shenwari opens the bat face and nudges it wide of cover

Murtagh to Stanikzai, 1 run, short and outside off, Stanikzai cuts towards backward point. The fielder parries it to sweeper and hence only a single for the duo

36.5

Murtagh to Shenwari, 1 run, full and zeroing in on the stumps, driven to long-on

36.4

Murtagh to Stanikzai, 1 run, shortens the length and Stanikzai punches it square on the off-side

36.3

Murtagh to Stanikzai, SIX, brings up the 200 in style. Off-speed delivery and Stanikzai spotted it early, got down on his knee and slog sweeped it over the deep mid-wicket fence. He needs to take more risks now

The keeper is up to the stumps..

36.2

Murtagh to Shenwari, 1 run, good length ball on off, Shenwari knocks it down to long-on

36.1

Murtagh to Shenwari, 2 runs, Murtagh goes wide of the crease and angles it in, Shenwari uses it to his advantage and flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket, pushes Stanikzai for the second

35.6

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, no power behind the punch and mid-wicket gets across to stop the ball

35.5

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, Dockrell is darting them in, Stanikzai works it off the inner part to backward square. Bit of confusion regarding the single, in the end they don't go through with it

35.4

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, quicker and attacking the stumps, clipped to mid-wicket

35.3

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, played round the pads to square leg

35.2

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, slower and around off, Shenwari opens the bat face and directs it to point

35.1

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, flatter and close to off, Stanikzai stays leg-side of the ball and eases it past the diving cover fielder, sweeper swoops down and keeps it to a single

34.6

Murtagh to Stanikzai, 1 run, again, Murtagh pounds it short, Stanikzai charges down and heaves it to deep square leg

34.5

Murtagh to Shenwari, 1 run, short of length around off, Shenwari gets on top of the bounce and punches square on the off-side

34.4

Murtagh to Shenwari, 2 runs, on a length and close to off, punched down the wicket, mid-on slides across to stop the ball but ends up kicking it past mid-off, extra run given away there

34.3

Murtagh to Shenwari, no run, forced from the crease only as far as cover

34.2

Murtagh to Shenwari, no run, back of a length and is knocked to mid-on

34.1

Murtagh to Shenwari, no run, good length ball on off, Shenwari prods across and defends to cover

Tim Murtagh [4.0-1-33-0] is back into the attack

Samiullah Shenwari, right handed bat, comes to the crease

33.6

Dockrell to Rahmat, out Caught by Ed Joyce!! It is Dockrell that provides the wicket, again. The umpire is checking is for a possible no-ball, he has plenty behind the line. Shah once more throws it away after reaching fifty. Half tracker on the stumps, Shah rocks back and pulls to long-on. He got it much straighter than he would have liked. Rahmat c Ed Joyce b Dockrell 68(70) [4s-5 6s-2]

Dockrell to Rahmat, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

33.5

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, quicker and on the stumps, Stanikzai plays it very late, almost off the stumps to sweeper cover

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, tossed up on off, Shah drives inside out to cover, the field misfields and allows long-off to tidy up

33.2

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, closes the bat face and turns it in front of square leg, quick single stolen

33.1

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, skids on from round the wicket, Shah punches to long-on

32.6

Chase to Stanikzai, no run, on a length and just outside off, defended off the front foot

32.5

Chase to Rahmat, 1 run, short delivery and Shah has all the time in the world to slot the pull to deep mid-wicket

32.4

Chase to Rahmat, FOUR, Shah looking good for a big score. Fuller and outside off, Shah caresses the drive to the left of mid-off, Dockrell is hesitant to put in the dive and when he does, the ball had passed him

32.3

Chase to Rahmat, SIX, wow! Time and again Shah surprises Ireland with big hits. Length delivery around off, Shah clears his front leg and goes through the line, clears long-on quite comfortably

32.2

Chase to Stanikzai, 1 run, banged in short and not much venom behind that, pulled to the left of short fine

32.1

Chase to Rahmat, 1 run, short of length on off, picked away behind square on the leg-side

31.6

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, once more Dockrell is short in his length, is cut away to sweeper cover

31.5

Dockrell to Rahmat, leg byes, 2 runs, drifting onto the legs, Shah does not meet with the tickle, off the pad to fine leg

31.4

Dockrell to Rahmat, 2 runs, Shah is using the crease well, goes deep and cuts it square on the off-side, Wilson is put under pressure and he cannot prevent the second run

31.3

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, flatter and around off, Stanikzai eases it to long-off

31.2

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, Stanikzai misses the nudge and is struck on the pad, sliding down leg

Chase to Rahmat, 1 run, fifty for Shah. He's been the in-form batsman for Afghanistan. Follows up his 70-odd in the first ODI with yet another fifty. Raises his bat and acknowledges the applauds from the dugout. Short delivery and Shah pulls it to deep mid-wicket, there was a chance of a second but Stanikzai slipped while turning

30.5

Chase to Rahmat, no run, on a length and angled in, Shah drives with laden feet, ekes out an inside edge onto the pad. He was fortunate there as the ball did not sneak through the bat-pad gap

30.4

Chase to Rahmat, no run, full and slanting in, Shah flicks off the inner portion of the bat to mid-wicket

30.3

Chase to Stanikzai, 1 run, short and wide, Stanikzai cracks it straight to sweeper cover

30.2

Chase to Stanikzai, no run, back of a length outside off, Stanikzai gets on top of the bounce and steers it to backward point

30.1

Chase to Rahmat, 1 run, hint of nip into the batsman, Shah brings his bat down at an angle and skews it off the inside edge to backward square leg

Peter Chase [5.0-0-29-0] is back into the attack

29.6

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, knocked it to mid-wicket and ends a good over for Afghanistan

29.5

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, full toss and Shah this time picks out the fielder, slams it straight to deep mid-wicket

29.4

Stirling to Rahmat, FOUR, now the sweep and Afghanistan getting the momentum back in the innings. Floated on the stumps, Shah kneels down and brooms it away behind square, where there is acres of space

29.3

Stirling to Rahmat, FOUR, that's the problem with leggies, there will be a few freebies on offer, full toss on middle and leg, Shah helps it along the way to deep backward square leg

29.2

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, flighted on off, Shah plunges forward to defend, the ball runs off the outer half to short third

29.1

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, Stirling continues with his leg-breaks, Shah dabs it to short third man

28.6

S Thompson to Stanikzai, FOUR, a much needed boundary for Stanikzai and Afghanistan. The captain was itching to have a go and four also releases some of the pressure that was being built. Short delivery and sat up nicely, Stanikzai pivots on his front leg and pull in front of square, all power from the Afghanistan captain

28.5

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, knocked off the back foot to cover

28.4

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, short of length around off, Stanikzai stands tall and punches to mid-off

28.3

S Thompson to Rahmat, 1 run, good length ball outside off, Shah opens the bat face and glides it to third man

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, Stanikzai is right behind the line to stonewall the back of a length delivery

26.5

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, back of a length on the stumps, tucked to mid-wicket

26.4

S Thompson to Rahmat, 1 run, what was that? Lapse in concentration. Banged in short outside off, Shah almost swivels off his feet to hoick it to the cow corner fence. The top-edge drops in front of Joyce at third man

26.3

S Thompson to Stanikzai, 1 run, once more Thompson nips it back in and catches Stanikzai in no man's land, squirted off the inside edge to deep square leg

S Thompson to Rahmat, no run, on a length and just outside off, eased off the front foot to cover

25.6

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, floated up on a fullish length, Shah gets to the pitch and whips it to deep mid-wicket

25.5

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, driven to the right of the bowler and Stirling dives to save the single

25.4

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, quicker through the air and gets sharp turn off the surface, Shah goes back to defend, the ball spins in and takes the inside edge, thuds into pad and drops near his feet

25.3

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, tossed up just outside off, Shah gets behind the line and defends

25.2

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, dragged down and Stanikzai is comfortable with that length, cuts to sweeper cover

25.1

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, juicy full toss on off, Stanikzai drives it back to the bowler. It was the leg-break which went wrong

24.6

S Thompson to Stanikzai, leg byes, 1 run, huge shout for LBW, but the umpire remains stoic. Nips back in from short of length and catches Stanikzai in the crease, is struck above the kneeroll and there was enough doubt there. Going over the stumps

24.5

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, pitched up outside off, Stanikzai drives and finds mid-off in the way

24.4

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, good length ball around off, Stanikzai is half-forward and defending

24.3

S Thompson to Rahmat, 1 run, fuller ball, driven to mid-on for a single

24.2

S Thompson to Stanikzai, 1 run, good delivery to avoid the hammering on a free hit. Bowled it wide of the batsman, who was deep in the crease, could only mistime to deep extra cover

24.2

S Thompson to Rahmat, no ball, 1 run, punched off the back foot to cover. Thompson has overstepped and hence the next one will be a free hit

24.1

S Thompson to Rahmat, no run, back of a length on off, tucked to mid-wicket

23.6

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, milked with the spin to deep mid-wicket, for a single

23.5

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, makes a bit of room and directs it towards backward point

23.4

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, knocked to mid-wicket

23.3

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, nudged uppishly to square leg. The ball held up on the wicket and Stanikzai had to check his shot

23.2

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, eased off the back foot to the on-side, Stirling dives and he can't stop, Porterfield dives and he too can't stop the ball

23.1

Stirling to Stanikzai, 1 run, drops it short and Stanikzai cuts square of the wicket

22.6

S Thompson to Rahmat, no run, full and down leg, Shah closes the bat face tad early and the leading edge rolls to mid-wicket

S Thompson to Stanikzai, 2 runs, sloppy from Stirling. Stanikzai drives it on the up towards cover, where the opener does not bend down enough to stop the ball, Dockrell does the mopping up in the deep

22.3

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, trifle short and outside off, Stanikzai cuts and misses. Beaten by the lack of bounce as the ball skids underneath the bat

22.2

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, angled in on off, Stanikzai plays it round his pads to mid-wicket. The Irish thought it was close to a LBW call

22.1

S Thompson to Rahmat, 1 run, back of a length outside off, punched to sweeper cover

21.6

Stirling to Stanikzai, no run, flatter and on off, pushed to cover and ends a tidy over from Stirling

21.5

Stirling to Rahmat, 1 run, camps on the back foot and punches to long-on. He's using the crease really well

21.4

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, worked away towards mid-wicket. Porterfield ensures that the single is not taken

21.3

Stirling to Rahmat, no run, slow turn and Shah gently taps it to the right of Stirling

S Thompson to Stanikzai, no run, fuller and around off, Stanikzai offers a solid forward defence

Stuart Thompson [1.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack

19.6

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, FOUR, once again plays it off the stumps, McBrine is not happy with himself, Shah uses the depth of the crease and steers it late to third man. The pace on the ball took it to the fence

19.5

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, no run, flicked to mid-wicket

19.4

Andy McBrine to Stanikzai, 1 run, presents the full face of the bat and punches to long-off

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, no run, pushed to the left of the bowler, McBrine covers good ground to stop the single

19.1

Andy McBrine to Stanikzai, 1 run, nudged with soft hands in front of mid-wicket, quick single taken

18.6

Dockrell to Rahmat, FOUR, another long hop from Dockrell, the result almost the same. Shah rocks back and nails the pull over mid-wicket, didn't make the desired connection and hence it bounces inside the rope

18.5

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, comes down the track and works it to mid-wicket

18.4

Dockrell to Rahmat, SIX, half tracker and Shah unleashes a ferocious pull, he uses the depth of the crease, goes low to get underneath it and pulls it flat over deep mid-wicket. All the way!

18.3

Dockrell to Rahmat, 2 runs, dangerous thing to do. Quicker delivery, Shah makes room and plays the cut from the stumps behind square, sweeper cleans up and the second is taken comfortably

18.2

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, shortens the length and is punched to long-off

18.1

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, slower and on off, Stanikzai blocks to the on-side

Time for a drinks break..

17.6

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, no run, uses his feet and picks out the mid-wicket fielder with a flick

17.5

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, 2 runs, short and outside off, Shah carves the cut square on the off-side and jogs back for the second

17.4

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, no run, quicker and attacking the stumps, pushed back to the bowler

17.3

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, no run, pushed through and stays a touch low, Shah makes room and bunts it to cover

17.2

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, no run, tossed up on off, defended off the front foot

17.1

Andy McBrine to Stanikzai, 1 run, whipped with the turn to deep mid-wicket. Porterfield tried his best to stop the ball, but it was out of his reach

16.6

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, in the air and safe. Stanikzai kneels down and miscues the heave right back over Dockrell, Wilson from mid-on ran back and dived full length, don't reckon he got a finger to it. The man running in from long-off should have gone for it. A lucky escape for Stanikzai

16.5

Dockrell to Stanikzai, no run, slides on with the arm and Stanikzai works it to mid-wicket

16.4

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, short and turning away, slapped to sweeper cover

16.3

Dockrell to Stanikzai, 1 run, a fumble allows Stanikzai to open his account, he slices the cut towards backward point and Murtagh misfields

16.2

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, pushed through on off, Shah wrists it to long-on

16.1

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, floated up around off, Shah goes hard on the drive and mistimes it back to Dockrell

15.6

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, 1 run, flattish and around off, punched off the back foot to long-off

Asghar Stanikzai, right handed bat, comes to the crease

15.5

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, out Noor Ali Run Out!! Afghanistan have lost both their openers now. Confusion between the batsmen results in Noor Ali's wicket. He comes down the track and works it to square leg, since he was already out of the crease, he wanted the single, Shah was a bit hesitant before going for it. That start-stop did not help Noor Ali, the throw came to the bowler's end and McBrine does the rest. Noor Ali run out (Stirling/Andy McBrine) 25(46) [4s-3]

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!

Ireland are celebrating. They reckon Noor Ali is run-out. It has been sent upstairs. He seems to be struggling. Yes! Well short of the crease. Should be an easy call for the TV umpire. RED light flashes and off he goes..

15.4

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, no run, reverse swept straight to backward point. He middled it alright but picked out the fielder

15.3

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, no run, driven down the wicket back to McBrine

15.2

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, 1 run, flatter and on the stumps, punched down to long-on

15.1

Andy McBrine to Rahmat, 2 runs, teased up outside off, Shah reaches out and drives to deep extra cover, sweeper had a chase on and he could not prevent the second

14.6

Dockrell to Rahmat, 1 run, Shah uses his strong bottom hand and works the drifter to long-on

14.5

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, tad short and outside off, chopped in front of cover

14.4

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, floated up and invites the batsman forward, Shah comes down the track and blocks to cover

A short extra cover in place..

14.3

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, a firm front foot push back to Dockrell

14.2

Dockrell to Rahmat, no run, flighted on the stumps, Shah plays a textbook forward defence

Rahmat Shah, right handed bat, comes to the crease

14.1

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, out Lbw!! The dangerous Shahzad has been sent back. A much needed breakthrough for Ireland. It was the arm-ball which skids on, Shahzad thought it was short enough to play the pull, misses and is struck in front of leg-stump. The umpire takes his time before raising the finger. Mohammad Shahzad lbw b Dockrell 63(43) [4s-12]

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

13.6

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, no run, wristed towards mid-wicket. Porterfield dives full length and stops the ball, saves a single

13.5

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, no run, quicker and cramping Noor Ali for room, defended back to McBrine

13.4

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, no run, steps out and knocks it back to McBrine, who mocks a throw

13.3

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, no run, worked with the turn to backward square, finds the fielder there

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad, 2 runs, tad short and outside off, Shahzad cuts to deep backward point and the sweeper cover had a lot of ground to cover, comes back for the second before the ball is hunted down

12.6

Dockrell to Noor Ali, no run, darted down leg and Noor Ali can't meet with the glance, off the pad to short fine

12.5

Dockrell to Noor Ali, FOUR, lovely shot! Dockrell shouted "catch," but it was well away from the fielder. Shimmies down and whips it over mid-wicket. Long-on has no chance to cut that off

12.4

Dockrell to Noor Ali, no run, worked to backward square, can't beat Murtagh

12.3

Dockrell to Noor Ali, no run, loud shout for LBW and the umpire is not interested. Noor Ali misses the reverse sweep and is struck on the pad, the ball was drifting down leg. Good decision that

12.2

Dockrell to Noor Ali, no run, comes down the track and defends in front of mid-wicket

12.1

Dockrell to Noor Ali, no run, saw the batsman advance and pushed it down leg, Noor Ali reaches out and flicks to backward square, straight to Murtagh

George Dockrell [1.0-0-3-0] is back into the attack

11.6

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, pushed to the left of the bowler

11.5

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, Shahzad winds up for a booming drive, the feet go nowhere and the inside edge rolls to the on-side. He lost his shape completely there

Andy McBrine to Noor Ali, 1 run, tossed up on off, driven neatly down to long-on

Andy McBrine, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

10.6

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, fuller and on off, defended with the bat in front of the pad to mid-wicket

10.5

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, Thompson is pulling his hair out. Good length ball close to off, Shahzad wanted to steer it to third man, the inside edge almost brushes the off-stump

10.4

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, delicately played by Shahzad. Allows the ball to arrive, opens the bat face late and runs it down to third man. The fielder was square and he had no chance

10.3

S Thompson to Noor Ali, 1 run, run out chance missed. Noor Ali was not even close to the crease. Good length ball outside off, driven on the up to deep extra cover, Shahzad called for the second and then denied, Noor Ali was halfway down. Thompson collected the wide throw and flicked it on the stumps, but it was not on target

10.2

S Thompson to Noor Ali, FOUR, too straight and Thompson is punished, on middle and leg, Noor Ali plants his front foot acroo and plays the pick-up shot to perfection, couple of bounces and into the deep mid-wicket fence

10.1

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, fullish and outside off, Shahzad drives and the outside edge runs down to third man

10.1

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, wide, wayward start from Thompson, sprays it way outside off, not even pitching on the surface, Shahzad has nothing to do with it and Niall O'Brien dives to glove

Stuart Thompson, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

9.6

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, fifty for Shahzad. He really does love batting against Ireland. It is his 8th ODI fifty. Arm-ball which skids on, Shahzad crouches low, closes the bat face and nudges it wide of mid-wicket

9.5

Dockrell to Noor Ali, 1 run, steps out and wrists it to long-on

9.4

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, flatter and on the hips, tucked to backward square leg

9.3

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, blocked down the wicket

9.2

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, flighted on off, turned to the right of Dockrell

9.1

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, touch short and outside off, Shahzad cuts it straight to cover-point

George Dockrell, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

8.6

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, this seemed to have held up on the wicket, Noor Ali is into the drive a tad early, gets a thickish inside edge to mid-on

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, short of length on off, Noor Ali is early into the pull shot, cue-ends it to mid-on

8.3

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, good length ball on off, defended down the wicket

8.2

Chase to Noor Ali, 2 runs, once more Noor Ali picks this back of a length delivery from the off-stump line and flicks it behind square, fine leg runs across and keeps it to a brace

8.1

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, good length ball on off, Noor Ali checks his shot and sends it rolling to mid-on

7.6

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, this is top quality batting. Nothing wrong with the delivery - short of length around off, Shahzad makes room and cracks it square on the off-side, the fast outfield does the rest

7.5

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, waits for the ball to arrive and steers it to short third man

7.4

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, off-speed delivery and Shahzad picked the bones out of that one, he read it early and smacked it over the infield on the off-side, one bounce and over the rope

7.3

Murtagh to Noor Ali, 1 run, good length ball on off and middle, clipped stylishly to deep mid-wicket

7.2

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, presents the straight bat and knocks it to long-on

7.1

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, Shahzad is treating Murtagh as a spinner, he swatted one in the previous over, now backs away and cuts it late behind square, bisecting backward point and short third man to perfection

6.6

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, tucked with the incoming angle to mid-wicket

6.5

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, rides the bounce and taps the short of length delivery to point

6.4

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, push-drive towards backward point

6.3

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, banged in short and hardly reaches Shahzad's chest, he swivels and pulls to deep mid-wicket

6.2

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, flicked straight to short fine, either side and that would have been four more

6.1

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, short and hint of width, Shahzad was all over it, goes back in the crease and slashes it uppishly, wide of the backward point fielder and that's four more

5.6

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, back of a length and hits the splice of the bat as Noor Ali prods across to defend

5.5

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, slower delivery and Shahzad spotted it early, softly pats it to mid-on and crosses over

5.4

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, tucks the batsman up for room, Shahzad knocks it to mid-wicket

5.3

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, back of a length just outside off, patted away towards cover-point

5.2

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, wow! This was not all that short, but for a diminutive Shahzad it was, he rocks back and swats it away wide of mid-on. Once again relies more on power than timing

5.1

Murtagh to Noor Ali, 1 run, short of length on off, nurdled round the corner - to backward square leg

4.6

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, in and around the off-stump, Shahzad hangs back and wristily works it to mid-on

4.5

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, back of a length around off, Shahzad is solid in his back foot defence

4.4

Chase to Noor Ali, 1 run, short of length on off, Noor Ali steers it with an open bat face to third man

4.3

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, good length ball on off, Noor Ali plays it round his pads to mid-wicket

4.2

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, back of a length around off, directed with an angled bat to backward point

4.1

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, a risky single that. Shahzad punched it to the left of mid-off and put on his sprinting shoes, the throw from the fielder was off-target and Shahzad made it in

3.6

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, on a length and around off, Noor Ali presses forward and defends. Murtagh follows up his expensive over with a maiden

3.5

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, pitched up outside off, Noor Ali drives and finds extra cover in the way

3.4

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, full and angled in, Noor Ali flicks it straight to short mid-wicket

3.3

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, shortens the length and Noor Ali defends it in front of point

3.2

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, fuller and around off, driven to mid-off

3.1

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, short of length around off, tapped towards backward point

2.6

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, Shahzad makes room and Chase dishes out a fuller length delivery, he just whacks it past mid-off, no need to run for those. Shahzad gave it his all

Free-hit coming up..

2.6

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no ball, FOUR, Chase oversteps and drops it short, Shahzad gets into an awkward position, but manages to get the pull away, wide of the mid-wicket fielder and off to the boundary

2.5

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, back of a length around off, defended off the back foot to mid-off

2.4

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, edged and four. Chase goes fuller than the previous deliveries, the ball straightens a touch, Shahzad is squared up and the outside edge flies through the cordon - between slip and gully

2.3

Chase to Noor Ali, 3 runs, again, Chase is a bit short in his length, Noor Ali flicks it square on the leg-side and the duo scamper back for the third. Mid-wicket gave chase and hauled it in

2.2

Chase to Noor Ali, no run, short of length around off, Noor Ali drops it in front of cover-point and searches for a single, Shahzad was not interested. He does not want to be run-out again

2.1

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, supple wrists. Picks the back of a length delivery from off and clips it to fine leg

1.6

Murtagh to Noor Ali, FOUR, costly over from Murtagh. Another half volley and Noor Ali does not miss out, he presents the full face of the bat and thumps it down the ground. Murtagh tries to stop it with his boot, but to no avail. 13 off the over

Murtagh to Noor Ali, no run, good length ball just outside off, pressed to cover after coming forward

1.3

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, back of a length on off, tapped wide of mid-wicket and hares across to the other end

1.2

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, Murtagh overcompensates and drifts onto the pads, Shahzad gets inside the line and flicks it behind square, fine leg inside the ring and he had no chance in the chase

1.1

Murtagh to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, welcome, Murtagh! Pitched up delivery outside off, Shahzad flexes his muscles and tonks it over mid-off, one bounce and over the rope for the first boundary

Tim Murtagh, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, good early call from Shahzad and he does it in a canter. Short of a length ball on off, Shahzad hops and tucks it right between two fielders - mid-wicket and mid-on, sets off for a quick single and gets it with ease

0.5

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, on a length and close to off, Shahzad is right behind the line and blocks to mid-on

0.4

Chase to Noor Ali, 1 run, good length ball on off, Noor Ali taps it in front of mid-on and calls Shahzad through for a quick single, he too is off the mark

0.3

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, bit of nip back into the right-hander, Shahzad is rooted to the crease and brings his bat down at an angle, squirted off the inside edge to fine leg for the first run

0.2

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, back of a length just outside off, Shahzad stands tall and knocks it to point

0.1

Chase to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, fuller and around the fourth stump line, Shahzad prods forward and defends right under his eyes

Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali are at the crease. Mohammad Shahzad is on strike. Chase will open the attack

Big news from the Ireland camp, no Kevin O'Brien today. In a crucial encounter, that would have loved his services. Nonetheless, it is an opportunity for the others to put their hands up and be counted. Here come the openers - Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali Zadran. Peter Chase has the new cherry. A slip in place and off we go..

Porterfield: We would have liked to bat first. It is one of those surfaces that you want to bat. We lost our way after we lost a couple of wickets, but we need to focus on getting a partnerships going. We have played a lot of good cricket without crossing the line. Two forced changes: Kevin O'Brien and Jacob Mulder miss out with niggles, Balbirnie and McBrine come in.

Stanikzai: I would love to bat. The wicket is good and will take some spin later on. The ball turns as the game progresses and that is the reason I hold back Rashid. 250+ is a good score on this wicket.

Pitch Report: It is same wicket that was used in the first ODI. There are a few rough marks but that is near the batsman's feet. The tinge of grass will help hold the surface together. It is a flat wicket with some early assistance for the fast bowlers.

Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat

Meanwhile, Afghanistan don't need to do anything different. Their top-order laid the platform with a solid start and the middle order capitalized. Though they didn't get early wickets with the ball, Asghar Stanikzai used his spinners in a smart way. He ensured Rashid Khan had overs in the bank when the Irish middle and lower-order came out to bat. The legspinner picked up four wickets and rest was history. A win today would give them a 2-0 lead. Can they continue their boisterous running going? Time will tell.. Coin to go up soon.. Don't go anywhere..

A 157-run second wicket stand could not prevent defeat. A 98-ball 119 from William Porterfield could not stop the Afghanistan juggernaut. So what can Ireland do to halt the Asian side's march? First they need to be consistent for the full 100 overs. In the previous ODI they were in the game until the 35th over of their innings, but lost the plot from thereon. Second some of the senior players need to fire, the likes of Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson. If they can do that, we might be in for a contest.

Preview:

For a long time, Ireland used to be seen as the top associate nation. The thunderous rise of Afghanistan has not only threatened that status, but they're beginning to dominate the division. This tour, so far, has been a glaring exhibition of the strides they are making. After sweeping the T20I series 3-0, Afghanistan have gone 1-0 up in the ODI series too. Another win for them will make it very difficult for Ireland to bounce back.

It's not that Ireland haven't created chances; more so in the previous ODI than at any other time. But a panic-stricken collapse foiled that opportunity. The problem is, they can't dismiss it as a one-off, as there were a couple of instances in the T20I series too when the middle order caved in after a strong start. Captain William Porterfield and Paul Stirling have sparkled in the top order but there's been no notable contribution following them.

In the past 10 ODIs, there have only been three half-centuries for Ireland by batsmen who play at No.4 or lower. Two of them have come from Kevin O'Brien, who isn't in the best of form on this tour. During this period, the batting order has been shuffled around, new players have been tried, but the worries continue to remain. So the onus will mostly be on the experienced Ireland players to get them out of this muddle; the O'Brien brothers, Gary Wilson have to put their hands up or else the top-order might find their hands full in trying to compensate.

That's not the only issue for the visitors though. The flat pitches in Greater Noida have rendered their battery of medium-pacers largely ineffective. Left-arm spinner George Dockrell hasn't had the desired impact either as his flattish trajectory has mostly skidded on, rather than gripping the surface. Also, 21-year-old leg-spinner Jacob Mulder has impressed on different occasions but he remains a work-in-progress.

Afghanistan are on a roll. What a year they've had so far. Not only are they on a world-record winning streak in T20Is, they also won the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Not just that, the Asian nation are completely in harmony with their adopted home and seem to thrive in the conditions in Greater Noida.

In Mohammad Shahzad, Afghanistan have a weapon which can demolish opposition bowling attacks from the get-go. Arguably, Shahzad is the most revered Associate player in the world. And he's a sight to behold when in full flow - like he's been on this tour so far. Mohammad Nabi, fresh from landing an IPL contract, bookends that path of destruction coming in lower down the order. In between, there are experienced heads like Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari.

It's not just the batting which is shaped in the aggressive mould; the bowling is also based on wicket-taking rather than run-stifling. No one exemplifies that approach better than Rashid Khan. The 18-year-old leg-spinner is a real menace, especially against the middle and lower order and has found a lot of success against a fragile Ireland. His googlies are particularly difficult to pick out of the hand, or so it has been proven in his short career so far. He has harvested wickets in clusters on this tour so far and Ireland will have to figure out a way of countering his variations if they are to overturn their fortunes.